($157+) Richmond, VA to Durham, NC Movers
Moving from Richmond, VA, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $157 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $4,095 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 150 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $652, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $4,095 or more.
- Moving containers run $717 - $2,152, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $157 - $374.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Richmond, VA, to Durham, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,195 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Richmond, VA to Durham, NC
There are 3 main ways to move from Richmond to Durham: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $1,195 - $3,408. Moving containers run about 24% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 85% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 2 days for this 150-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 150-mile route from Richmond to Durham, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $652 - $2,906 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($717 - $1,292), rental truck ($157 - $282), or freight trailer ($684 - $1,118). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,195 - $3,408 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $4,095.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Richmond, VA to Durham, NC
Full-service movers for the 150-mile relocation from Richmond, Virginia, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $652 and $4,095. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $290 - $1,932, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Richmond typically charge a base rate around $360 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Richmond to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $652 - $2,906
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,195 - $3,408
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,546 - $4,095
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Richmond to Durham.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Richmond, VA to Durham, NC
Specialty needs vary by market: 65% of Richmond movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Durham, 59% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $483 - $4,830 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready65% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $193 - $1,159/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $290 - $2,318 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% of local movers | $966 - $2,898 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,415 - $9,660 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $724 - $1,375 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $966 - $2,415 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $773 - $3,381 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $290 - $1,449 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect6% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $628 - $1,932 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $290 - $14,490+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $290 - $3,381+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Richmond to Durham?
Movers licensed to operate in North Carolina are typically members of the North Carolina Movers Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Richmond, VA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Richmond to Durham with a local mover averages $1,172 - $3,340. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Richmond, VA often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
Mr. Moving, LLC (4.58/5 stars) is a local mover in Richmond, based on our analysis of feedback from 214 customers, 87.4% of which is positive.
Address: 1343 Pritchard Ter, North Chesterfield, VA, 23235 | Founded: 2020
Moving container costs from Richmond, VA to Durham, NC
Moving containers from Richmond, Virginia, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $717 and $2,152. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Richmond costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Richmond to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $717 - $1,292
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $912 - $1,695
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,151 - $2,152
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Richmond, VA and Durham, NC. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $676 in Richmond, VA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $72 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $145 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia to North Carolina move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $717. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $912 - $1,695.
What are the best moving containers Richmond to Durham?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Richmond to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Richmond:
- Mr. Moving, LLC (4.6/5), 6 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Richmond, VA to Durham, NC
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 150 miles from Richmond, Virginia, to Durham, North Carolina, running $157 - $374. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $46 - $53
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Richmond daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Richmond to Durham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $157 - $282
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $178 - $320
- 4+ bedrooms: $205 - $374
Pro tip: The base rate of $157 - $374 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Richmond to Durham. Fuel ($46 - $53), lodging at around $145/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Richmond, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $676.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $46 - $53 for the 150-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $58 and $314, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $145 per night for hotel stops on the 150-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $290 - $435.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Richmond to Durham?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Richmond, VA to Durham, NC
For larger DIY moves from Richmond, Virginia, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Durham, North Carolina.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $752 and $1,382.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Richmond to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $684 - $1,118
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $752 - $1,382
- 4+ bedrooms: $969 - $1,721
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Richmond, Virginia, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $676.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $72 - $145 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Richmond to Durham?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Durham fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Richmond, VA vs Durham, NC
Day-to-day costs in Durham are close to what you're used to in Richmond: cost of living index of 99 versus 95, with average rent of $1,699/mo compared to $1,595/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 51/100 and 51.55/100 in Richmond versus 30/100 and 45.28/100 in Durham.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Durham, NC to Richmond, VA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to North Carolina, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 304 movers licensed in Virginia, useful context for sizing up this 150-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Richmond, VA, to Durham, NC, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $652 for a studio to $4,095 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 150-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $717 - $2,152. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $157 - $374, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $1,195 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Durham tend to point to low cost of living and quality education, though terrible traffic and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Duke University & Duke Univ. Health System and IBM.
FAQs: Moving from Richmond, VA, to Durham, NC
How much does it cost to move from Richmond, VA to Durham, NC?
Costs on this route range from around $157 to $4,095, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $652 and $4,095, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
How walkable is Durham?
Durham has a walkability score of 30 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 38, compared to 51 and 51 in Richmond. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($46 - $53), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $145/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in North Carolina?
For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT).
What is the best time of year to move from Richmond, VA to Durham, NC?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. North Carolina also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of Richmond movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Richmond handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.